Duane Dean DeButts Obituary

August 2013

Duane Dean DeButts, born September 15, 1941 in Cadillac, Michigan, finished the last stanza of his life’s song on August 12, 2013 at Arbor Hospice.

A lover of jazz, blues, and big band music, Dr. D, as he was affectionately known, enjoyed playing baritone saxophone throughout his life with Cadillac High School, Michigan State University, and finally in local community bands. Dexter Community Band was a favorite. He enjoyed their annual Halloween concerts and their 2001 tour of Europe. His days spent at the Washtenaw Community College music program, first as a jazz band participant, and then as an instructor, were some of his happiest moments. During the 1980s, he and daughter Deena were part of a Blues Brothers tribute band known as the Blues Gang. Gerry Mulligan was his favorite sax player, so Dr. D established a scholarship at Interlochen Arts Academy in his honor.

Beyond music, D loved cars, especially his 1957 black Chrysler 300C. A founding member of the Chrysler 300 Club International, he reveled in talking cars with other 300 nuts. His life’s work was as chief mechanic and owner of D’s Auto Clinic on Ecorse Road from 1976-2002. Helping people solve their car problems gave him tremendous satisfaction. He was a gifted car diagnostician and fair-minded business man. Many of his customers became his best friends. Many young mechanics were helped into their careers by D.

Duane was interested in education from his earliest years. He worked closely with two Eastern Michigan University faculty in discussions on how to improve math and technical writing instruction. D was a writer of poetry at MSU and also penned essays for the Chrysler 300 Club newsletter. He was proud of his membership in MENSA and loved solving logic puzzles. One of his volunteer endeavors involved helping The Common Chords to create music, including writing their own theme song. In 1993, he was recognized by WCC for his community efforts.

Survivors include dedicated daughters Deena Baty and Doreen (Rosario) Schifano; grandchildren Skyler and Alaina Baty; sister Karolynn (DeButts) Pargo; his aunt Doris Johnson; wife Donna (Libbey) DeButts; nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Preston DeButts and Bernice (Malmstrom) DeButts. Special family friends and visitors included Mike Martin, Mick Stewart, Wayne Kutchinski, and his dedicated caregiver since 2010, Luke Hanna. He was one-of-a-kind and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial birthday celebration will take place on Sunday, September 15 at Janowiak Funeral Home, 320 N. Washington, Ypsilanti, MI. Visitation begins at 1:00 pm with a service at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift to the Washtenaw Community College Foundation for the Jazz Orchestra or to WEMU.